DUI Defense

A DUI arrest in Georgia is a very serious matter. Regardless of whether it’s your first DUI charge, or you’ve had multiple DUIs, the consequences are significant and you will need a good Georgia DUI attorney to help. We have won many of our DUI cases and dramatically reduced the fines and penalties in others. With 35 years experience in the Atlanta area we know the system and will work with the courts to get you the best outcome. When you need the best DUI defense, you need someone that knows how to win – you need Don Turner.

A DUI arrest can happen to anyone and could cost you thousands of dollars, possible jail time, and strict conditions on your driver’s license!

DUI arrests are on the rise in Georgia. Why? Because the pressure to arrest and convict DUI offenders is enormous. Due to the number of tragic, often fatal, traffic accidents involving alcohol or drugs, advocacy groups like MADD and SADD, the media and public opinion have prompted legislators to enact stringent DUI laws. In response, Georgia’s DUI laws become tougher following each legislative session. The result? The urgency to increase convictions has clouded a fundamental issue in our democratic society: The presumption of innocence and proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It is not illegal to drink and drive—the issue is whether you are a less safe driver because of the alcohol or drugs you have consumed, thereby causing a safety hazard on the roads.

How We Help You – The Process of your DUI Case

Step 1: Save Your License!

If you tested .08% or higher or you refused to take the state’s test, you were issued the yellow copy of form 1205, which serves as the state’s intent to suspend your license.

You have 10 business days, starting the day after your arrest, to contest the automatic suspension of your license.

As our first step in your defense, we will request an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing and represent you at that hearing before the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings.

We find many clients are confused by the fact that the typical DUI in this State ends up in two separate and very different courts. Most people are familiar with the regular criminal court and have a good idea about the issues involved there. Few people are acquainted with the other court, the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) where the court holds ALS hearings.

Criminal Court – DUI proceedings in the criminal court are typically initiated by the State with one or more uniform traf fic citation(s) (UTCs). Inthe criminal court, the central issue in cases is whether the person charged is guilty of the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused in a criminal court has the right to have a jury listen to the evidence and decide if they are convinced, beyond a reasonable doubt, of the accused’s guilt. If they are so convinced, sentencing is up to the

OSAH – Proceedings in the OSAH are typically initiated when a police officer files a Department of Driver Services Form Inthe ALS hearing before the OSAH, the central issue in cases is whether the person charged should have his or her license suspended and for how long. Since there is no possibility of jail time and there’s not even the possibility of a fine, the standards and procedures are much different than in criminal court and much less favorable to the accused. A judge makes all the decisions about the outcome of a case. The lawyer at an Al.S hearing will, in consultation with his or her client, generally do one of four things:

Try to have the 1205 petition thrown out because the police officer doesn’t show up for the hearing,

Have the police officer unilaterally withdraw the 1205 petition, that is, without any conditions for the withdrawal,

Have the police officer withdraw the 1205 petition in exchange for a promise to plead guilty to either reckless driving or DUI in the criminal court, or

On rare occasions, try the case before an OSAH judge

Step 2: Hiring the Right Team

After your initial interview and after you have retained our services, we thoroughly investigate your case and gather all pertinent information that will aid in your defense:

Police reports

Intoxylizer maintenance records and user logs

Video of your arres

Video of your test at the police station

Dispatch reports

Witness statements

Arresting officer statements

Various other reports and files

Step 3: The Evidence is In – Client Case Review

After the evidence has been gathered and analyzed by your expert team, you will meet with your attorney. Several things will take place at this meeting.

Your expert team will review and discuss the findings of the investigation with you, so that you completely understand the facts surrounding your

Your lawyer will discuss the defense strategies that can be used and will recommend the best defense for your case.

You and your lawyer will discuss how you want to proceed and what outcome you want to see.

Together you and your lawyer will map out and decide the best defense that will give you the best possible outcome.

Step 4: Motions to File

Your expert team will prepare the necessary Motions. Motions are legal vehicles used to protect your rights and exclude evidence which could lead to a dismissal inyour case.

Step 5: Arraignment

You will be required to attend an Arraignment where you will enter a plea of Not Guilty. Your lawyer will also file the Motions which were previously prepared. If the Motions are not filed at the Arraignment, they will be filed shortly after.

Step 6: Motions Hearing

A hearing will be scheduled to argue the Motions filed on your behalf. You will be required to attend along with your lawyer, the solicitor, the arresting officer and any other witnesses relevant to the Motions.

If the Motions Hearing results in a ruling favorable to you, the state may agree to dismiss the charge altogether or agree to a reduction of charges such as a non-DUI offense.

Step 7: Calendar Call

However, if the solicitor does not dismiss the charge or allow you to plea to a non DUI offense, your case will be placed on a TrialCalendar. Some courts have a Calendar Call set to determine the readiness of both sides to proceed to trial. Be aware that many conflicts can occur which may cause your court date to be reset one or more times.

Step 8: Trial – Bench or Jury

The Trial portion of your case occurs when a satisfactory plea or dismissal of your charges cannot be worked out.

There are two types of trials; each with their own pros and cons. You and your lawyer will decide which will benefit your case and allow you the best possible outcome. The primary difference between the two trials is who hears your case and decides the verdict.

In a Bench Trial, the judge hears the arguments from defense and the solicitor and is solely responsible for deciding the outcome.

In a Jury Trial,your case will be argued in front of 6 of your peers selected from a panel of 12. The defense and the solicitor may each dismiss 3 candidates leaving only 6 jury members.

Note: You may be placed on call when your court date arrives. This keeps you from having to wait all day at the courthouse. You will need to be ready and available for us to contact you. Your judge will accept no excuse for your tardiness or absence on the day of Trial.

The solicitor presents their case first since they have the burden to prove your guilt. Your lawyer will present your case last.

In both cases, witnesses will be called and evidence will be exhibited. Each side will have an opportunity to question (cross-examine) each witness. Your expert team will meet with all defense witnesses including yourself, prior to the trial, and will help prepare them for the type of questions they may be asked.

Closing arguments will be made by both sides. The judge then “charges” (explains the law and the responsibilities) the jury, and they deliberate the case until a verdict is reached.

Why should you hire The Don Turner Legal Team as your DUI defense team?

Without an experienced and committed attorney by your side, your legal rights can easily be overlooked as law enforcement and the courts demonstrate to elected officials an increase in DUI convictions. Without a solid defense strategy, you will likely become a statistic.

You don’t want to be just a number. And you can’t afford to make a mistake when choosing legal representation. The Don Turner Legal Team will stand up for you. When you choose our firm, we go the extra mile to provide you with the support and attention you’ll need throughout the legal process. And we do whatever it takes to minimize the negative impact of your DUI.

Where does The Don Turner Legal Team defend cases?

Our Attorneys are licensed to practice law in the entire State of Georgia and have traveled across the State defending individuals charged with DUI and other crimes. Our team of experienced Attorneys have defended cases in Atlanta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, and many other cities across Georgia. If you have been charged with a DUI or other crime in any of the Metro Atlanta cities, our team is prepared to defend you today.

Practice Areas

Testimonials

Don Turner handled a DUI case for me. The out come of the case ended positively and I was very pleased with the knowledge and expertize that Don brought to the courtroom. Don also made me feel at ease throughout this process, which made it easier to deal with. On top of all that, Don’s staff is just fantastic.

Paul (DUI Client)

I would highly recommend hiring Don Turner for any of your law needs. We have used him on multiple occasions & have never been disappointed. He is very professional & courteous of your time as well. If it weren’t for Mr. Turner, our outcome in court probably wouldn’t have been very good. We will continue to use him as our attorney.

Anonymous (DUI)

I wanted to once again thank you for all that you and your staff have done for me in reference to my DUI case. Especially, I would like to point out to you the exemplary service of Don Turner’s team. Not only are they extremely personable and attentive every time I have had to contact the office, but they also pay great attention to detail and appear to really take every client’s individual case to heart.

Elizabeth J. (DUI Client)

Don and I have been friends for over 25 years and his skills as a criminal defense lawyers are among the best in the defense bar in Georgia. He is an effective professional and always has the best interest of his clients at heart. More importantly, Don has the legal knowledge to back up his efforts and to prevail on their behalf.

Larry Wolfe, a Fellow Attorney

Seeing that I’ve had little experience with the criminal justice system, I was impressed by how smoothly everything went. Don was able to negotiate a great plea deal with very lenient sentence conditions. No need to be stressed. Don’s got it covered. I was able to move on with my life.

Jake (DUI Client)

When I got my DUI, I was SO stressed about what I was about to deal with. Mr Turner not only saved my license but made the entire process as simple as possible. I was surprised to receive an actual person every time I called his office. The entire staff was extremely helpful, and Mr. Turner was in contact with me regularly. Since then, I’ve recommended him to family members and friends, all of whom have been very thankful. We’ve added him to our speed dial!

Anonymous (DUI Client)

When I got my DUI, I was SO stressed about what I was about to deal with. Mr. Turner not only saved my license but made the entire process as simple as possible. I was surprised to receive an actual person every time I called his office. The entire staff was extremely helpful, and Mr. Turner was in contact with me regularly. Since then, I’ve recommended him to family members and friends, all of whom have been very thankful. We’ve added him to our speed dial!

Liz (DUI Client)

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone’s patience & hard work. I apologize for my punctuality and I’m grateful I used this Firm. Hopefully, I’ll never need your services again, but I will recommend this Firm to anyone who may need it. Thanks again. Ya’ll are the bestest ever!!!!

Taylor (Fulton DUI Case)

Don Turner is a highly skilled lawyer and a wonderful human being. He is extremely bright, hardworking and tremendously talented in the courtroom. There are some people that you meet and immediately feel a sense of comfort in their presence, that they are thoughtful and have the tremendous confidence in their work that can only be gained through years of experience. Mr. Turner is that person and more. I would highly recommend anyone in need of quality representation speak with Don Turner and experience a compassion and legal acumen rarely found in the legal profession. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

William Sherman, a Fellow Attorney

Don Turner spent time to go over all the details of my DUI case. He provided options, and was honest about best and worst case scenarios and the most likely outcomes. He took time to answer all my questions, and I could tell that he genuinely cared. Don let me know where there were issues with the way the officer conducted the field sobriety test (i.e., did one of the tests from the seat of my car instead of me standing in front of him). I would highly recommend this attorney. I had never used the services of an attorney before, and one of my friends recommended Don Turner.

Amber (DUI)

I had never been pulled over for DUI before. A friend referred me to Don saying, “You will like him. He is good.” Don met with me and explained my options and possible outcomes. The final result is better than he had first suggested and worth every dollar. Don knows how to maneuver through the system and got me better than I deserve. Ashley handled my concerns professionally and promptly. Lesson learned. Don saved me from much worse than I was prepared to accept. I would suggest Don Turner to anyone looking to deal with the legal system.
P.S. Don got me better than I deserved. Thanks again, Don.

G.T.

I have known Don for quite some time. He is very knowledgeable and communicates openly with his clients. His counsel has proven valuable time and again. I have gladly recommended him to several of my friends. If you need counsel for a DUI or trial situation, then Don and his team are the people to see.

DJE (DUI)

I would like to thank Attorney Manal Chehimi for the exemplary work she has done in getting my DUI case dismissed. Thank you so much for: your dedication, your honesty, hard work and sincerity, but last but not least, thank you for restoring hope! Your interpersonal skills, really got me thru those moments when I thought all was lost. Your mastery of the law assured me in those moments when I thought this case too monumental to win…but you won! Thank you very much! You are a true champion!…keep up the good work.
You are highly recommended.

Rupert (DUI Dismissal)

Donald Turner is an excellent lawyer. When I was charged with a DUI in Cobb County Mr. Turner not only got the charge taken down to Reckless Driving, but managed to allow me to keep my driver’s license as well. Mr. Turner and his entire staff always had the time to answer questions or set a meeting with me. He and his entire staff were knowledgeable, professional, warm, and courteous. He is the only attorney I would ever turn to if I were in need of legal advice or counsel in the future.

Heather (DUI Client)

Don has handled a number of issues for myself and my family. Besides being very knowledgeable I found that he had a very strong and solid reputation and respect among the court officials and judges who were handling my cases. Fair and sensible in helping me resolve my matters in a common sense manner.